Propeller



June 10 5.1924. 5'

Filed Nov. 14 1921 l J. M. RAY

t PROPELLER v4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. M. RAY

PROPELLER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FledfNov. 14, 192]' mum 1:. :1 l, i f. WNY Q ..l 4 A H N, Q NN i June 10 i924. 1,497,302

J. M. RAY

PROPELLER Fileov. 14. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. M. RAY

PROPELLER June 10 Filed Nov. 14 1921 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented June 1o, 1924.

UNTTED STATES JOHN MARTIN RAY, F AMARILLO, TEXAS.

PBOPELLEB.

Application med November 1 To all whom. it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN MARTIN RAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Amarillo, in the county'of Potter and State of Texas, have invented certain new and .useful Improvements in Pro ellers, of which the following is a descriptlon, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawin which form a part of my specification. y invention relates to propellers for use on aero lanes, submarines and the like and has for its object the provision of a construction wherein the blades are caused to oscillate while revolving or traveling through an l'orbit concentric with the power-imparting shaft or member.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a propeller whereinthe axes of the blades are disposed in alignment, with the-blades arranged diametrically of the power imparting shaft or member 'ch constitutes the whl common axis about which the blades revolve and each blade normally arranged at the desired angularity relative to its horizontal axis, in conjunction with means whereby the mountings connected with the inner ends of the respective blades are provided witha secondary axis, aligned with the axis through the blades, about which said mountings may be tilted or oscillated in directions lengtliwlse of the major axis or propellershaft, so that the blade which is moving downwardly or 4through the power imparting portion of its orbit will be disposed at the proper an le relative to the air or water so as to provide a forward lifting action or a rearward pulling action as the case may be, while the opposite blade, that is to sa the blade which is moving upwardly throng the non-edective part of its orbit will have l been oseillated or rotated about its own axis into a position where the fiat faces of the blade will be disposed vertically so that the flat faces of said blade will oder substantially no resistance in the rotation to the air or water; the construction bein such that each blade will oscillate into an out of powerimparting positi itial and termion at the 1n nating portion of its downward travel during eac revolution of the propeller. nother object of my invention is to provide means, operable from the seat of the operator whereb the direction of the inc ination of the at surface or face of each blade in its downward Qi' Operative portion 4, 1921. Serial No. 515,178.

on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 looking in the 70 direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a artial phantom view, in perspective of the lades-partly broken away, with the blades in normal position.

Figure 4 is a schematic view in partial side elevation with the blades or propeller in normal position.

Figure 5 is a similar view with the propeller adjusted for forward and upward pulling action.

Figure 6 illustrates the propeller adjusted whereby resistance is shifted to the opposite side and resistance reversed.

The particular exemplification of the invention as illustrated in the drawings comprises av power shaft 1 0 adapted to be driven by any suitable motive power, with the outer end disposed through a sleeve 11 which may be supported by any suitable bracket or standard as at 12 and held against rotation; that is to say the power shaft 10 is free to rotate in the non-rotating sleeve 11. The sleeve 11 at suitable points is shown reduced or shouldered to receive socketed or grooved rin 13 which constitute raceways for the anti-friction or ball bearings shown at 14 whereby a suitable shell or casing 15 is rotatably mounted on the end of the sleeve. rThe casing is preferabl constructed in two parts 15 and 15n as s own in Figure 1, with the parts removably bolted together in any suitable manner as for example by bolts 16; the part 15 being rotatably mounted by means of the anti-friction bearings described, whilel the part 15 is provided with a small hub portionin which suitable antifriction and thrust bearin s 17 are mounted in conjunction with a busliing 18, as shown in Figure 1.

rlhe outer end O the Shaft. 1.9 i5 SllOWll l1@ threaded to receive `shaft 10 between the plate and the casing as for exa suitable nut and plate, indicated at 19, whereby the casing is maintained in lace and caused to rotate with the by reason of suitable connections ample bolts or screws 20; the nut in turn being held. against accidental removal in any suitable manner. The casing members or shells 15 and l5a at diametrically opposite points are provided with inwardly dlsposed apertured bosses as at 21, 21, see Fi ure 2; said bosses being preferably dispose at the juncture of the two members 'or shells 15, 15a to permit the easy insertion of the reduced inner endsor portions 22 of the propeller blades 23 and 24. The blade proper Hat surstantially intermediate of is providedy with a comparativel face and twist or angularity of su twenty degrees to its axis, its ends; with the twist or angularity of the blades being in opposite directions to each other as shown in Figure 4. The inner end 22 of each blade is free to rotate or turn in the bosses 21 of the composite casing 15, 15, and said inner ends 22 are secured to or may be made integral with an annular member or ring 25 which latter, at diametrically opposite points intermediate of the points-of con- -nectlon ofl the blades therewith, is, shown provided with tapped openings or apertures 26, 26,-that is to say at points 90 degrees removed from the point of connection of the blades to the ring 25,- to receive trunnions or members 27, 27 whose inner non-threaded ends are disposed in sockets or openings formed in an annular member or ring 2 8 arranged concentric with the annular member or ring 25. The inner circumference of the annular member or ring 28 is shown provided with a circumferential groove adapted to receive an annular member or ring 29 provided with a hub portion 30 whose internal diameter is considerably greater than the external diameter of the non-rotating sleeve 11; the relation between annular members 28 and 29 being such that member 28 may be free to rotate about member 29;

' ber 29 and threaded in the tapped bosses orl the free running rotation being assisted, if desired, by means of anti-friction ball bear- Iings as at 31 disposed in suitable grooves formed in the groove of member 28 and the sides of member 29 the bearings on the opposite side ofmember 29 being maintained in place in any suitable manner, as for example by means of a flat ring 32 which may screw into a threaded socket in the side of member 28 and said flat ring 32 in turn may be held in )ilace by means of the washer or nut 33, see igure 1. The annular member 29 is trunnioned or journalled to the sleeve 11 by means of the` pins orl bolts 34, 34 extending through apertures in annular memenlargements 35 .,formed at diametrically opposite points on sleeve 11. The trunnions -29 and therefore to or pivot connections of annular member 29 with sleeve 11 are disposed at right angles to the trunnions or pivotal' oints 27 of annular member 25 on annu ar member 28, that is to say the pivotal points 34 of annular member 29 on sleeve 11 are disposed 90 degrees from and intermediate` of the piv otal points 27 whereby annular member 25 is secured to annular member 28, and therefore are disposed in axial alignment with the blades 23, 24, See Fi ure 2.

The sleeve 11, as we as the bushing or bearing members of the housing section 15a on the sleeve, are lon itudinally slotted to receive the key or s ide-rod 36 which is ada ted to extend to a suitable point Within the ousing fromy the operating mechanism or lever "(not shown) disposed Within reach of th'e operator, and said key or member 36 is adapted to be moved lengthwise of sleeve 11 for the purpose hereinafter described. The sleeve 11, at suitable points, may be provided with supporting members or rings as at 37 whereby proper positioning of the slide-rod 36 will be maintained. The slide-rod 36, at a point adjacent its inner end, is shown provided with an upwardly disposed protrusion preferably in the form of a spherical member 38, which is adapted to extend into a socket 39 formed on the interior of annular member 29. The projection or extension 38 of the slide-rod 36 will cause the annular member 29 to be tilted about its pivotal points-or pins 34, 34, through the arc of a circle that is in a direction lengthwise ofthe operating shaft 10 and sleeve 11, namely into the positions indicated in Figures 5 and 6. In View of the fact that the annular member 28 with the ring 32 provides an internal groove .to receive member 29, it is apparent that the annular member 28 must also tilt with the member 29 into the same position and by reason of the connection of annular member or ring dium of trunnions 27, 27 with members 28, it is. evident that the annular member 25 likewise will tilt into the same position as the annular member 29, thus causing the blades to be turned or tilted, relatlve to their axes.- As the composite housing or shell 15, 15 is rotated through the medium of power shaft 10, it is apparent that the propellers 23, 24 will be rotated about the longitudinal axis of power Shaft 10, that is to say the blades and 24 will be twisted or moved about their own axes to an extent equivalent to the degree of oscillation given to annular member members 28 and 25, with the result that as the housing and blades, together with members 28 and 25, are rotated about the non-rotating sleeve 11 and member 29, the angle of incidence of the blades 25, through the mejaa will be altered and each blade caused to assume two positions in each revolution with the shaft; that is to say, the blade which is moving downwardly through its orbit will be at the proper or desired angularity relative to its own axis lso as to oier proper resistance or rather provide a forward or rearward pulling force, while the blade moving upwardl in each revolution will have been oscillat to a position where it is disposed substantially vertically so as to offer practically no resistance to the elements (air or water as the case may be). Each blade therefore is caused to assume a power-imparting and a non-power imparting position during each revolution; the blade moving from a power-imparting position as it approaches the lowermost point in its orbit and assuming a power-imparting position as it reaches and passes about the uppermost point in its orbit. The blades are set at a predetermined angle to each other and to their axes when the mechanism is in normal position and the angularity of the blades to the housin may then be altered so as to have the b ades at `the desired angle of incidence whereby to provide a forward'upward pulling action or a :forwardl downward pulling action when the annular members, through proper movement of the sliderod 36, are tilted toward either one ofthe positions indicated in Fig'lures 5 and 6; the angle of incidence of eac blade in the operating stroke of its revolution therefore being under the control of the operator; with the` oscillation of the blades being possible while the propeller is in operation.

both blades are twisted or given op Withthe propeller in its normal position as shown in the rst four figures, where posite angplarity and so secured to the r1ng25, bot blades will provide the same effect and offer equal resistance, thereby rovicling a direct pull. By shifting the sllde-rod 36 toward the outer end of the sleeve 11, the blade carrying ring 25, (as well as members 28 and 29) will be tilted into the position shown in Figure 6, thereby moving the blades, for example through substantially twenty-tive degrees, relative to their axes and therefore also from their normal positions, so that the one blade will be disposed substantially at'an angle of forty-five degrees to its axis durin a portion of its revolution, to-wit the bla e 23, while the blade 24 will be disposed substantially perpendicular during a portion of its revolution, las shown in Figure 6; it being understood, that each blade is made to assume the two positions, relative to their respective axes, during each complete revolution of the propeller shalt and housing. With the blades positioned as described and shown in Figure 6 it will be aparent that blade 23 olers the resistance an .therefore is the operating blade, while the inner or blade 24, is made to split the air or water,

.offering little or no resistance; these conditions changing as the respect-ive blades ap proach the opposite sides of the shaft 1n their rotation.

If reverse action on the part of the propeller is desired, the operator shifts sllderod 36 toward the left in Figures l and Li, causing ring 25, with members 28 and 29 to be tilted into the position indicated in Figure 5. Positioning of the blade holding mechanism as described, will cause blade 2li to assume an angle of substantially forty-five degrees during the operative art of its rotation, while blade 23 will be isposed substantially perpendicular as shown 1n Figure 5; it being understood that each blade will assume the positiono the other as it arrives on the op osite side of the shaft from that occupie by it in Figure 5. It will also be noted that shifting of the mechanism from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 5, will change the air resistance from the other and therefore reversing resistance from the near side in Figure 6 to the far y side in Figure 5.

'lhe blades are off-set from center of axis so as to balance the composite blade-ring while rotating; as to have a screwing action and being disposed substantially in the same manner at hub ends thereof as at the points or outer ends, thus providing resistance from hub to tip. The blades are 0E- set to one side of the center line or axes thereof, rearward to the direction of rotation of the blades, so as to balance the blades and the blade ring. The blades are also bent or bowed slightly in a direction toward the shaft, for the purpose of creating either downward or u ward air pressure on the face or forward side of the blades relative to the direction of rotation, in order to create resistance against air pressure, thus tending to provide a lifting or pulling effect on the shaft housing'while in rotation; the blades being thrown oi balance or o center in the opposite direction to the direction of air ressure.

I ave referred to my improved pro eller as being especially adapted for aerop anes, submarines and other vessels, understood that it is equally adapted for use on wind-mills or for hydrauhc power generating purposes, and While I have shown what I believe to be the simplest and best embodiment of my invention, which has been described in terms employed merely,

as terms of description and not as terms of limitation, structural modifications are possible and may be made without, however, departing from the spirit o f my invenon.

What I claim is 1. A propeller, comprising a power shaft,

comp Jsite' the blades being twisted soV one side to but it will be a non-rotating sleeve disposed about the shaft, a housing disposed about the ends of the shaft and sleeve and secured to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, propeller blades journaled in said housing'v at diametrically opposite points, non-rotating means oeillatably secured to said sleeve within the housing, means rotatable on said first means and oscillatable therewith, a portion of said last means having the inner ends of the blades immovably secured thereto, and means whereby the non-rotating means with the second mentioned means may be tilted in a direction lengthwise of the shaft, whereby each propeller blade is caused to partially rotate about its own axis during each revolution of the power shaft.

2.A propeller,comprising a power shaft, a housing secured to the end of the shaft and rotatable therewith, propeller-blades carried by said housing so as to rotate with said shaft, the blades being free in the housing to move about their ownaxes, non-rotating means concentric with said shaft and disposed within the housing, a portion of said means being tiltably -mounted atpoints in axial alignment with the axes of the blades, and means intermediate of the tiltably mounted portion of the non-rotating means and the inner ends of thevblades consisting of a portion rotatable'on the tiltable portion of said non-rotating means and a second portion pivotally secured to the first portion and secured to the inner ends of they blades, wherebythe angle'of incidence of i each blade may be altered 1n its revolution wlth the housing and power-shaft.

3. A propeller of the character described, comprising a power-shaft, a housing rotatable with said shaft, propeller blades journaled in said housing and adapted to rotate therewith, a non-rotating sleeve disposed about said shaft, an annular member concentric with and tiltably mounted on said sleeve at points in axial alignment with the blades, a second annular member rotatable about said first member, a third annular member pivotally secured to the second member at points at right angles to the pivotal points of the first member, said third member being connected to the inner ends of said blades, and a slide rod operatively connected with the first annular member whereby the latter may be tilted and the angle of incidence of the blades altered during their revolution with said housing.

4. A propeller of the character described, comprising a propeller shaft, a non-rotating member concentric with said shaft, an annular non-rotating member tiltably secured to the first member, a third member provided with an annular groove to receive the second member and being free to rotate thereon, a ring disposed about the third member and pivotally secured their inner ends to said rin to rotate therewith, said blades being oset toward one side of the center line thereof, rearward to the direction of their rotation when the blades are in normal position and the ring is at a point intermediate of its extreme points of oscillation, while the outer ends of said blades are dipped in a direction toward the propeller shaft.

5. A propeller, comprising a rotatable shaft, a housing disposed about the shaft and secured thereto so as to rotate therewith, blades carried by the housing, an annular member within said housing to which the inner ends of the blades areA 'rigidly secured, a non-rotating member within the housing, a non-rotating annular member tiltably secured to the second mentioned member, an internally grooved annular member rotatable about the third mentioned member, disposed within and having pivotal connection with the first mentioned member, the blades being offset from their axes in such direction that the air pressure thereon effects pressure on said third mentioned member,-when the latter has been tilted into either of its extreme postions,-through the first. and fourth mentioned members,-whi1e the latter are passing through the declining portion of their rotation about said third menthereto, blades secured atl tioned member,-which tends to rotate the shaft, through the housing, in the direction .of rotation of the shaft, and a control rod disposed lengthwise of the shaft and having ball-and-socket connection with the third mentioned member, whereby the latter may be tilted about its pivotal points on the second mentioned member.

v JOHN MARTIN RAY. Witnesses:

J. C. BUCKHAM, RUTH L. BACON. 

